Two significant arrests

Photo: Contributed

The Penticton RCMP have apprehended two people on drug and firearm charges in recent days.

Last week, the Penticton Targeted Enforcement Unit arrested 37-year-old Marshall Hunter, who was previously wanted by police, on drug charges.

Hunter was observed entering the Penticton Community Centre, where he was taken into custody.

Police subsequently seized drugs and trafficking paraphernalia from Hunter, and he now faces six new drug charges in relation to the arrest.

"Our unit has been very successful in since our inception taking drugs, weapons and prolific offenders off our streets," said Cst. Kyle Richmond of the Targeted Enforcement Unit. 

Then on Tuesday, RCMP attempted to pull over a silver Ford Explorer in the north end of town which had been driving erratically.

The officer who witnessed the vehicle determined it to be a car reported stolen in Summerland in January. The driver refused to stop and pull over, and fled the scene.

The car was subsequently seen driving dangerously in the downtown core, where officers were unable to safely contain the area and apprehend the driver. The driver fled south to Okanagan Falls, where attempts to contain the vehicle were also unsuccessful.

Later, the car was noticed in Keremeos, where officers attempted to use a spike belt. The driver avoided the device and fled into the Apex Mountain area, where a police helicopter was engaged to help with the pursuit.

Witnesses aided the police in discovering the vehicle and its driver, identified as Jodi Kornelsen, 31, stuck in a snow drift on a rural property. 

Kornelsen, who has a lengthy criminal record and frequents Kelowna and Calgary, was arrested at the scene and had a handgun, ammunition and paraphernalia for disguises on hand during her arrest.

She will face numerous charges in Penticton Provincial Court relating to this incident and others.